Grip tape for a sports implement

ABSTRACT

A grip for use with a sports implement extending about a longitudinal axis. The grip includes a flexible strip defining a length defining a major dimension and width defining a minor dimension. The strip has a butt end region, a primary region and a throat end region. The throat end region defines at least one guideline. The guideline extends along an outer surface of the strip at an angle with respect to a line that is parallel to the major dimension of the strip. The angle is arranged such that when the grip is wrapped about the sports implement, the guideline extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/015,975 and filed on Jun. 23, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved grip tape for a sports implement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wrapping a grip tape around a handle assembly of a sports implement, such as a tennis racquet presents many challenges. Many users find it very difficult to wrap a grip tape about a handle assembly in an efficient manner and with a clean neat appearance. A poorly wrapped grip tape can negatively affect the performance of the player by potentially negatively affecting the user's gripping of the racquet. A poorly wrapped grip tape often results in a poor unappealing appearance, and can be susceptible to unraveling or separation from the handle assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The grip of the present invention provides at least three important features that greatly facilitate the wrapping of the grip about a handle assembly of a racquet or other sports implement. The features can be used individually or in any combination. One of the features is the variable length of a butt end section of the grip extending to represent between 15 to 30 percent of the total length of the grip. Another important feature is the incorporation of an overlap guide region on the grip. Yet another important feature is the incorporation of one of more guidelines defined on a throat end section of the grip. The important features address significant challenges that arise when gripping a racquet or other sports implement. The features enable any user to apply a grip to a sports implement quickly easily and efficiently, and to achieve an appearance that is appealing, clean and professional.

One example implementation of the present invention provides a grip for use with a sports implement extending about a longitudinal axis. The grip includes a flexible strip defining a length defining a major dimension and width defining a minor dimension. The strip has a butt end region, a primary region and a throat end region. The throat end region defines at least one guideline. The guideline extends along an outer surface of the strip at an angle with respect to a line that is parallel to the major dimension of the strip. The angle is arranged such that when the grip is wrapped about the sports implement, the guideline extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tennis racquet in accordance with one example implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a handle assembly of the racquet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a grip for a tennis racquet in accordance with one implementation of the present invention alongside a conventional grip.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the grip 28 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 through 7 are side perspective views of a handle portion of a racquet of FIG. 1 being wrapped with the grip.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are top perspective views of the throat end section of the grip 28 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a handle portion of a racquet of FIG. 1 being wrapped with the grip and the capping tape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a sports racquet is indicated generally at 10. The racquet 10 of FIG. 1 is configured as a tennis racquet, however, the invention can also be formed as other types of sports implements, such as racquetball racquets, squash racquets, badminton racquets, paddle ball paddles, baseball bats, softball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and the like. The racquet 10 includes a frame defining a head portion 12, a throat region 14 and a handle assembly 16. The head portion 12 is a tubular structure defining a generally oval shaped opening 18. The head portion 12 maintains in tension a latticework of strings 20. The throat region 14 includes a pair of tubular shafts 22 outwardly extending from the head portion 12 and converging at the handle assembly 16. The throat region 14 couples the head portion 12 to the handle assembly 16. The handle assembly 16 connects to and outwardly extends from the throat region 14 along a longitudinal axis 15.

Referring to FIG. 2, the handle assembly 16 is shown in greater detail. The handle assembly 16 includes a handle 24, a pallet 26, a grip 28 (or grip tape), and a butt cap 30 (see FIG. 1). The handle 24 is a rigid structure supporting or forming the pallet 26. The pallet 26 can be integrally molded into the handle 24 to define a rigid gripping member. In another implementation, the pallet 26 can be attached to a preformed handle. The pallet 26 has butt portion 34 (or proximal portion) and a hoop end portion 36 (or distal portion). The pallet 26 preferably has an octagonal transverse cross-section formed by eight outer longitudinally extending surfaces 31 interconnected along eight longitudinally extending gripping edges 32. In alternative implementations, the pallet 26 can have alternative transverse cross-sectional shapes such as, for example, other polygonal shapes, oval, circular and irregular. The pallet 26 is configured for grasping by one or both hands of a player during use. The pallet 26 is made of a strong, lightweight, durable material, preferably a graphite composite material. Alternatively, the pallet 26 can be formed of other materials, such as, for example, other fiber composite materials, a structural urethane foam, other structural foams, a plastic material, a metal or wood. In one implementation, the pallet 26 has a length between 5.0 and 9.5 inches; and, in another implementation, the pallet 26 has a length of approximately 7.0 to 8.0 inches. In an alternative implementation, the pallet is a separate component connected to a “hair-pin” shaped handle. In this limitation, the frame can be formed by one continuous tubular structure where both ends of the tube run side by side to form the hair pin handle, the tube diverges from the handle in the form of the tubular shafts 22, and the tube forms the majority of the hoop of the head portion 12 of the racquet with the exception of the yoke 25 which completes the oval shaped hoop of the head portion. In this implementation, the pallet 26 is applied over the hair pin handle 24.

A peripheral recess 38 can be defined within the pallet 26 between the butt and hoop portions 34 and 36 of the pallet 26. The recess 38 uniformly and inwardly extends into the eight outer surfaces 31 of the pallet 26, such that the transverse cross-sectional area of the pallet 26 at any point along the recess 38 is smaller than the transverse cross-sectional area at either the butt portion 34 or the hoop portion 36 of the pallet 26. The recess 38 can be positioned toward the butt portion 34 of the pallet, preferably within approximately 1.0 centimeter from the butt portion 34 of the handle assembly 16. The recess 38 has a length between 3.5-7.0 inches and a depth between 0.25-3.0 millimeters. In one implementation, the recess 38 has a length of approximately 4.0 inches and a depth of approximately 0.7 millimeters. In an alternative implementation, the recess 38 can fully extend to, and encompass, the butt portion 34. In another implementation, the handle assembly 16 can be formed without the recess 38.

The handle assembly 16 can further include one or more pads 40. The pad 40 is a flexible layer of padding attached or formed to the pallet 26 at the recess 38. The pad 40 can wrap around and substantially fill the recess 38. In one implementation, the pallet 26 is formed without a recess and the pad 40 can be placed over the pallet 26. The pad 40 can be attached to the pallet by a suitable adhesive tape or other means, such as, for example, a fluid adhesive. The pad 40 is preferably made of a soft, flexible, resilient foam material, such as a micro-cellular, polyurethane open-celled foam having a smooth outer surface. The pad 40 can have a thickness that is at least as great as the depth of the recess 38, or can be have other thicknesses. The pad 40 is optimally sized and positioned along the pallet 26 to match the player's typical hand grip location. The pad 40 further reduces the shock and vibration felt by the player when striking a ball. The pad 40 also improves the overall “feel” of the racquet. In an alternative implementation, the handle assembly 16 can be formed without the one or more pads.

The grip 28 is an elongate strip of soft, durable material that can be coupled to the pallet 26. The grip 28 can be wrapped about and attached to the pallet 26 or an intermediate layer by an adhesive. In other implementations, the grip 28 can be attached by different forms of adhesives, thermal bonding, mechanical bonding, and combinations thereof In one implementation, the grip 28 is wrapped directly around the pallet 26. In another implementation, the grip 28 can be wrapped around one or more of the pads 40. In another implementation, the grip 28 can be placed over another form of an intermediate layer that extends over the pallet 26. In another implementation, the grip 28 can be wrapped about an existing grip. In such an embodiment, the grip 28 can be referred to or utilized as an overgrip. The grip 28 can be made of a leather, a synthetic leather, a rubber or other thermoset material. The grip 28 can be spirally or helically wrapped about the outer surface of the pad 40 and any uncovered portions of the pallet 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the grip 28 is shown in greater detail. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the grip 28 laid next to a conventional grip 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the grip 28 and illustrates that the grip 28 can be a multilayered structure including a backing 44 coupled to an outer layer 46. The outer layer 46 can be formed or applied to the backing 44 such that a portion of the outer layer 46 impregnates, extends into, or otherwise engages the backing 44. Alternatively, the outer layer 46 can be attached to the backing 44 through an adhesive, bonding, stitching, or other conventional means. The outer layer 46 is formed of a wear resistance, resilient material having a high coefficient of friction values (or a high level of grip-ability). The material used to produce the outer layer 46 can be a natural rubber, a butyl rubber, natural leather, a synthetic leather, a polyurethane, a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, other synthetic polymeric materials, or combinations thereof. The outer layer 46 is configured for interaction with a user's ungloved hands. The outer layer 46 is also compatible with gloved hands.

In one implementation, the backing 44 can be configured to increase the tensile strength of the grip 28. In another implementation, the backing 44 can be configured so as not to improve the tensile strength of the grip. The backing 44 can also be used to provide a cushion layer beneath the outer layer 46 to provide the grip 28 with a softer feel. The backing 44 can be made of a soft material, preferably a felt-like fabric. Alternatively, the backing 44 can be formed of other materials, such as, for example, other woven or unwoven fabrics, plastic, an elastomer, a rubber, and combinations thereof. In another alternative implementation, the grip can be formed without a backing.

An adhesive 48 can be applied to a bottom surface of the backing 44. In other implementations, the adhesive 48 can be disposed within the fabric of the backing 44 or otherwise interspersed within the backing 44. A cover tape 50 can be applied over the adhesive 48 to protect the adhesive from contact with debris or unwanted surfaces. When the grip 28 is ready for attachment to the racquet 10, the cover tape 50 can be removed (such as by being peeled off the backing 44) exposing the adhesive 48 for attachment to the underlying surfaces of the racquet 10 and the handle assembly 16.

The grip 28 can include chamfered first and second side edges 60 and 62 thereby providing the grip 28 with a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The thickness of the side edges can vary from 0.5 to 3 mm over a width within the range of 1 to 7 mm. In one implementation, the width of the first and second side edges 60 and 62 can be within the range of 4 to 6 mm.

The grip 28 has a length L and a width. The length L of the grip 28 can be within the range of 80 cm to 150 cm. In one implementation, the length L is within the range of 90 to 130 cm. In one particular implementation, the length L is approximately 110 cm. The grip 28 has a primary section 54, a butt end section 56 and a throat end section 58. The primary section 54 has a generally uniform width, W_(a). In one implementation, the width W_(a) is within the range 1.5 to 3.5 cm. In another implementation, the width W_(a) is approximately 2.5 cm. The throat end section 58 has a generally uniform initial width, W_(t), that is substantially equal to the width W_(a). The butt end section 56 has a variable width, W_(b). The variable width W_(b) may be a uniform taper wherein the width of butt end section 56 equals the primary width W_(a) at the transition from primary section 54 to the butt end section 56, and the variable width W_(b) gradually decreases toward the butt end of the grip 28. The decrease can be linear. In other implementations, the decrease in width from the primary section 54 to the butt end of the grip 28 can be non-uniform or irregular. In one implementation, the width W_(b) of the butt end section 56 at the butt end of the grip 28 can be within range of 0.5 to 1.5 cm. In another implementation, the butt end of the butt end section 56 can have a width W_(b) within the range of 0.75 to 1.25 cm.

Conventional grip tapes include a butt end section 56 that has a length of approximately 10 cm on a 110 cm grip. Accordingly, the butt end section 56 of a conventional grip is typically approximately 9 percent of the total length L of the grip. The handle assembly 16 also typically includes the butt cap 30. The butt cap 30 (FIG. 1) generally has a maximum transverse polygonal shaped cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross sectional area of the pallet 26 or the pallet 26 with one or more pads 40. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the handle assembly 16 rapidly decreases from the butt end of the handle assembly 16 at the butt cap 30 toward the remaining portions of the handle assembly. Conventional grip tapes can be difficult to wrap about the butt cap 30 and the butt end of the handle assembly 16. The thickness of the grip tape does not easily follow the change in outer transverse cross-sectional area of the handle assembly 16 and often do not lie flat as the grip is wrapped about this region of the handle assembly. The tapered length of the tapered butt end section of conventional grips is often too short. As a result, as the user wraps the grip tape around the grip 28 starting at the butt cap 30, the user can find that he or she has not fully transitioned to the constant octagonal cross-sectional area of the pallet and is still covering the sloped or tapered surfaces of the butt cap 30 and the edge of the butt cap to the pallet with a grip tape 28 that has a full width. Such locations of the grip tape with the full width can bunch, bubble, and/or significantly overwrap in this area causing an unpleasant gripping surface. In order to avoid such negative bunching, binding, and/or bubbling of the grip tape, the grip may need to be partially unwrapped and re-wrapped over this region. This condition can be very challenging for user's attempting to apply the grip to the racquet 10, and can also be time consuming. Some user's are unable to apply conventional grips to racquet handle assemblies without some bunching, binding, bubbling or excessive overlapping. More experienced user's may need to spend extra time and/or attention to avoid such bunching, binding, and/or bubbling.

In accordance with one implementation of the present invention, the length, L_(b), of the butt end section 56 is significantly extended so as to represent or define between 15 to 30 percent of the total length of the grip 28. Accordingly, the length Lb is significantly longer and larger than the length Lb of conventional grip tapes. The length Lb can be at least 15 percent of the total length of the grip tape. In another implementation, the length Lb of the butt end section 56 is within the range of 16 to 20 percent of the total length of the grip 28. The increased length of the butt end section 56 provides enhanced maneuverability of the grip 28 during taping or wrapping the grip about the handle assembly 16. The variable reduced width W_(b) of the butt end section 56 more readily follows the contour of the butt cap 30 and the pallet 26 allowing for smooth efficient wrapping of the grip, and results in a grip 28 that lies flat or closely follows the contour.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the grip 28 is shown being wrapped about the handle assembly 16. The grip 28 is typically wrapped about the handle assembly 16 beginning at the butt end of the racquet 10 at the butt cap 30. The tape 50 can be removed from the grip 28 to expose the adhesive 48, the butt end region 56 of the grip tape 28 can be applied to the side of the butt cap 30 and the grip tape 28 can be wrapped about the pallet 26 from the butt cap 30 toward the throat region 14.

In accordance with an example implementation, the outer surface 68 of the grip 28 can include an overlap guide region 70 for facilitating the wrapping of the grip 28 about the pallet 26 or handle assembly 16. The overlap guide region 70 can extend over one of the first or second side edges 60 and 62. In one implementation, the overlap guide region 70 extends over the outer surface 68 of the grip 28 along the first edge 60. As the grip 28 is wrapped about the handle assembly 16, the first edge 60 and the overlap guide region 70 are positioned as the top edge (the edge closer to the throat region 14). The overlap guide region 70 can have a width within the range of 1 to 15 mm. In one implementation, the overlap guide region 70 has a width within the range of 2 to 4 mm. The overlap guide region 70 can be formed with an appearance that is visibly different from the remainder of the outer surface 68 of the grip 28. In one implementation, the overlap guide region 70 can be formed of a first color and the remainder of the outer surface can be formed of a second color that is different from the first color. In another implementations, the overlap guide region 70 can be formed of two or more colors, a pattern, a texture or combinations thereof that are visibly different from the color, pattern and/or texture of the remainder of the outer surface 68 of the grip 70. In another implementation, the overlap guide region 70 may include graphical and/or alphanumeric indicia. In one implementation, the overlap guide region 70 can includes a plurality of strips or words such as “cover here” or “overlap here”. The overlap guide region 70 provides an efficient, effective guide to users for facilitating the proper gripping of the grip 28 about the pallet 26 or handle assembly 16. The overlap guide region 70 provides the user with a consistent visible indication of where to place the grip 28 as the grip is wrapped about the handle assembly 16. The user simply wraps the grip 28 about the handle assembly 16 such that the grip 28 covers the region 70. By covering the overlap guide region 70, the grip 28 can readily, quickly wrapped about the handle assembly 16 in a manner that provides a clean, consistent, professional appearance. The overlap guide region 70 provides a desirable amount of overlapped grip material.

The outer surface 68 can also include graphical and/or alphanumeric indicia 72 and surface texture 74 for enhancing the grip-ability of the grip 28. The indicia 72 can be representative of alphanumeric characters, graphics, specification information, advertising information, source data, trademarks, certification marks and combinations thereof. Specification information may include information such as installation instructions, dimensions, warnings, bar codes, and design features. Advertising information may include information such as slogans, product ratings, product attributes and information on related products. The indicia 72 may be single or multi-colored. The surface texture 74 can be a plurality on indentations. In other implementations, the surface texture can be a plurality of projections, indentations, roughened areas, and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7 through 10, the throat end region 58 of the grip 28 is shown in greater detail. The throat end (the end opposite the butt end) and the throat end region 58 of the grip 28 typically has a width W_(t) that is generally constant and equal to the primary width W_(a). A strip of capping tape 80 can be supplied with the grip 28. The capping tape 80 has an outer surface 82 that can include indicia 84 (similar to the indicia 72), and an adhesive coated inner surface (not shown). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, the capping tape 80 secures the throat end of the grip 28 to the racquet 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7-10, the shape of the throat end region of conventional grip tapes present challenges to individuals gripping a racquet. The grip is typically spirally or helically wrapped about the pallet 26 at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis 90 of the racquet 10. When a grip reaches its throat end, the grip is angled and the square shaped throat end of the grip tape forms an unappealing top end to the grip tape. Some individuals who wrap grips about handles will lightly wrap the throat end of the grip about the pallet 26 to gauge how much excess, unnecessary or unsightly material remains toward the throat end of the grip. These individuals then will partially unwrap the grip and cut the grip in a fashion that allows the grip to more readily wrap about the throat end to form a clean professional looking top end to the grip. Often only individuals with a great deal of experience with applying grips to racquets can do the wrapping, unwrapping, cutting and re-wrapping process to end up with the desired clean professional appearance. In many cases, user attempt to properly cut the grip, but end up taking an improper angle or cutting the grip too short or too long. Any of these common scenarios can result in a sloppy, unprofessional appearance to the top of the wrapped grip. The capping tape 80 is then applied over the top end (or throat end) of the grip to complete the grip wrapping process. Although the capping tape 80 may cover minor errors or sloppiness in cutting the throat end 58 of the grip tape 28, practically speaking the capping tape 80 can only clean so much of a poorly cut or applied throat end 58 of the grip tape 28.

The present invention provides a simple, quick and easy approach to overcome these challenges. In one implementation, the throat end section 58 of the grip 28 is formed with one or more guidelines 92 formed into grip 28. The guidelines 92 can be formed into the outer surface 68 of the grip 28. The guidelines 92 can be formed as one or more grooves within the outer surface 68 of the grip 28. In other implementations, the guidelines 92 can be formed as a plurality of spaced apart line segments, dots, or perforations extending along one or more lines. In another implementation, the guidelines 92 can be markings applied to the outer surface 68 of the grip 28 wherein the thickness of the grip 28 is generally not changed by the addition of the guidelines 92. In another implementation, the guidelines 92 can be lines, segments, and/or dots that outwardly project from the outer surface 68 of the grip 28. In other implementations, the guidelines 92 can be any combination of grooves, segments, holes, dots, perforations, projections, markings. The guidelines 92 can be formed to be visible upon close inspection of the outer surface 68 of the grip 28 but not readily visible on the grip 28 from a distance. The term guidelines can be used to mean any or all of the above-listed implementations.

The guidelines 92 provide visible indication to the user of one or more locations where excess material from the throat end section 58 of the grip 28 can be removed at the end of the grip wrapping process. In one implementation, the guidelines 92 are two or more spaced apart parallel lines. In another implementation, the guidelines 92 can be three or more spaced apart lines. In another implementation, the guidelines 92 can be five spaced apart lines. In other implementations, other numbers of guidelines can be used. The multiple guidelines 92 enable the grip 28 to accommodate different sized racquet grips, different sized pallets, different length handle assemblies and other variables present in racquet designs. The guidelines 92 are generally positioned on the grip 28 at an angle that corresponds to the helical or spiral angle of the wrapping of the grip about the handle assembly 16. When the grip 28 reaches the top end (or throat end) of the pallet 26, the guidelines 92 extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 90. For purposes of the present application, the term “generally perpendicular” refers to an angle that is 90 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees. In other words, the guidelines may be positioned within the range of 85 to 95 degrees from the longitudinal axis 90 of the racquet 10. In another implementation, the guidelines 92 can be positioned at an angle that is within the range of 60 degrees to 120 degrees from the longitudinal axis 90. The user can then simply cut the throat end section 58 of the grip 28 along the one of the selected guidelines 92. Once cut, the throat end section 58 has a tapered width that enables the throat end section 58 to evenly wrap about the top or throat end of the pallet 26 to form a clean, professional top end to the wrapped grip 28. The capping tape 80 can then be readily applied to the top edge formed by the top or throat end of the wrapped grip 28.

In one implementation, as indicated in FIG. 7, the guidelines 92 can be configured to be cut with a scissors, a knife or other conventional cutting instrument. In another implementation, the guidelines 92 can be formed by a series of one or more grooves or perforations. The grooves or perforations can be sized and positioned to enable the user to pull apart the throat end section 58 of the grip 28 along the desired guideline 92. In other words, the guidelines 92 can be configured to enable a user to pull apart the throat end section 58 of the grip 92 without the use of a cutting instrument, by use of the user's two hands.

The grip 28 of the present invention provides at least three important features that greatly facilitate the wrapping of the grip 28 about the handle assembly 16 of the racquet 10. The features can be used individually or in any combination. One of the features is the variable length Lb of the butt end section 56 extending to represent between 15 to 30 percent of the total length L of the grip 28. Another important feature is the incorporation of the overlap guide region 70 on the grip. Yet another important feature is the incorporation of one of more guidelines 92 defined on the throat end section 58 of the grip. The important features address significant challenges that arise when gripping a racquet or other sports implement. The features enable any user to apply a grip to a sports implement quickly easily and efficiently, and to achieve an appearance that is appealing, clean and professional.

While example implementations of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although different example implementations may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example implementations or in other alternative implementations. One of skill in the art will understand that the invention may also be practiced without many of the details described above. Accordingly, it will be intended to include all such alternatives, modifications and variations set forth within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Further, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail because such structures or functions would be known to one skilled in the art. Unless a term is specifically and overtly defined in this specification, the terminology used in the present specification is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though may be used conjunction with the description of certain specific implementations of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A grip for use with a sports implement extending about a longitudinal axis, the grip comprising: a flexible strip defining a length defining a major dimension and width defining a minor dimension, the strip having a butt end region, a primary region and a throat end region, the throat end region defining at least one guideline, the guideline extending along an outer surface of the strip at an angle with respect to a line parallel to the major dimension of the strip, the angle arranged such that when the grip is wrapped about the sports implement, the guideline extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the at least one guideline is at least 3 guidelines.
 3. The grip of claim 1, wherein the at least one guideline is at least 4 guidelines.
 4. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the guidelines is a marking.
 5. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the guidelines is a groove.
 6. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the guidelines is formed from a plurality of spaced apart recesses.
 7. The grip of claim 6, wherein the spaced apart recesses are spaced apart line segments, spaced apart perforations or a combination thereof.
 8. The grip of claim 1, wherein the at least one guideline is configured to facilitate separation of the throat end region with only the user's hands.
 9. The grip of claim 1, wherein the strip includes an outer surface and first and second side edges, and wherein an overlap guide region is formed along at least a portion of the first side edge.
 10. The grip of claim 9, wherein the overlap guide region has a width within the range of 1 to 15 mm.
 11. The grip of claim 9, wherein the overlap guide region has a width within the range of 2 to 4 mm.
 12. The grip of claim 9, wherein the overlap guide region is formed of at least a first color, the remaining portion of the outer surface of the grip is formed of a second color, and wherein the first and second colors are different.
 13. The grip of claim 12, wherein the at least first color is two or more colors or a pattern of colors.
 14. The grip of claim 9, wherein the overlap guide region is formed of a first texture, the remaining portion of the outer surface of the grip is formed of a second texture, and wherein the first and second textures are different.
 15. The grip of claim 1, wherein the primary region of the strip has a substantially constant first width, and wherein the butt end region of the strip has a width that is less than the first width.
 16. The grip of claim 15, wherein the width of the butt end region varies along its length.
 17. The grip of claim 16, wherein the width of the butt end regions varies linearly along its length.
 18. The grip of claim 15 wherein the length of the butt end region is at least 15 percent of the length of the strip.
 19. A grip for use with a sports implement extending about a longitudinal axis, the grip comprising: a flexible strip defining a length defining a major dimension and width defining a minor dimension, the strip having an outer surface, a butt end region, a primary region, a throat end region a first side edge and a second side edge, and an overlap guide region is formed along at least a portion of the first side edge.
 20. The grip of claim 19, wherein the overlap guide region has a width within the range of 1 to 15 mm, and wherein the overlap guide region is formed of at least a first color, and the remaining portion of the outer surface of the strip is formed of a second color, and wherein the first and second colors are different. 